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Three-week probe nets more than 100 pounds of marijuana

The Etowah County Drug Enforcement Unit has seized more than 100 pounds of marijuana, seen Thursday, Jan. 3, 2012, at the Etowah County Sheriff's Office in Gadsden, Ala. Hunter Epps Waters, 22, of Trussville and Hernandez Soto, 36, of Birmingham were arrested and both charged with trafficking marijuana.

Marc Golden | Gadsden Times

By Lisa RogersTimes Staff Writer

Published: Thursday, January 3, 2013 at 11:57 a.m.

Last Modified: Friday, January 4, 2013 at 4:39 p.m.

More than 120 pounds of marijuana has been seized in Etowah County during a three-week investigation by the Etowah County Drug Enforcement Unit, and two people are charged with trafficking in the drug.

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The marijuana was imported from Mexico and stacks of small, compacted bales displayed at a news conference Thursday are an example of why the drug should not become legalized, Sheriff Todd Entrekin said.

“Some people think it ought to be legal, but how can you control it?” Entrekin said. “We hope this puts a stop to a lot of the marijuana trafficking in our area.”

The wholesale street value of the marijuana is about $250,000, Rob Savage, commander of the Drug Enforcement Unit, said. The retail street value is slightly higher.

Marijuana still is considered to be a “gateway” drug to drugs like cocaine and methamphetamine, Savage said.

Evidence gathered during the investigation shows the drugs eventually would been in the hands of teens and young adults in Etowah County, he said.

District Attorney Jimmie Harp said drugs like cocaine and meth are more serious, but marijuana typically is the first drug someone uses first, especially teens and young adults.

“This is causing them to fail when they normally would succeed,” he said.

Harp said the two people charged are from the Birmingham area.

“This sends a message that we're not going to accept that and we're going to make sure it doesn't cross our borders and reach our community,” Harp said. “I appreciate the hard work of the DEU.”

Hunter Epps Waters, 22, Trussville, and Hernandez Soto, 36, Birmingham, were arrested in the Gadsden area, about an hour apart. They allegedly had been business partners in the drug trade about a year, Savage said.

Both are charged with trafficking in marijuana. Waters, with a $10,000 bond, had about 45 pounds of marijuana. Soto, with a $50,000 cash bond, had about 50 pounds.

The immigration status of Soto, considered a flight risk, is unknown, Savage said. His bond was set higher, Savage said, because “he is a source, not the middleman.”

The marijuana was in the compacted bales, but in each arrest already was unwrapped and not hidden. In one arrest, it was in a trash bag in the back seat of a truck. In the other, it was in a grocery bags in the trunk, Savage said.

It is believed the bales, with a weight of about 4.5 pounds to 5 pounds, originally were packaged in bulk, tightly wrapped in plastic for concealment, while being brought across the border.

Savage said the investigation originally started in western Etowah County near Boaz with the seizure of about 15 pounds.

However, the investigation is not related to a recent large marijuana bust in Boaz. Information about that part of the investigation will be presented to a grand jury for possible charges.

Gadsden Police Chief John Crane praised the work of the DEU.

“This is a prime example of the professionalism and dedication of the Drug Task Force,” Crane said. “This represents hours of work of sacrifice of the agents.”

<p>More than 120 pounds of marijuana has been seized in Etowah County during a three-week investigation by the Etowah County Drug Enforcement Unit, and two people are charged with trafficking in the drug.</p><p>The marijuana was imported from Mexico and stacks of small, compacted bales displayed at a news conference Thursday are an example of why the drug should not become legalized, Sheriff Todd Entrekin said.</p><p>“Some people think it ought to be legal, but how can you control it?” Entrekin said. “We hope this puts a stop to a lot of the marijuana trafficking in our area.”</p><p>The wholesale street value of the marijuana is about $250,000, Rob Savage, commander of the Drug Enforcement Unit, said. The retail street value is slightly higher.</p><p>Marijuana still is considered to be a “gateway” drug to drugs like cocaine and methamphetamine, Savage said.</p><p>Evidence gathered during the investigation shows the drugs eventually would been in the hands of teens and young adults in Etowah County, he said.</p><p>District Attorney Jimmie Harp said drugs like cocaine and meth are more serious, but marijuana typically is the first drug someone uses first, especially teens and young adults.</p><p>“This is causing them to fail when they normally would succeed,” he said.</p><p>Harp said the two people charged are from the Birmingham area.</p><p>“This sends a message that we're not going to accept that and we're going to make sure it doesn't cross our borders and reach our community,” Harp said. “I appreciate the hard work of the DEU.”</p><p>Hunter Epps Waters, 22, Trussville, and Hernandez Soto, 36, Birmingham, were arrested in the Gadsden area, about an hour apart. They allegedly had been business partners in the drug trade about a year, Savage said.</p><p>Both are charged with trafficking in marijuana. Waters, with a $10,000 bond, had about 45 pounds of marijuana. Soto, with a $50,000 cash bond, had about 50 pounds.</p><p>The immigration status of Soto, considered a flight risk, is unknown, Savage said. His bond was set higher, Savage said, because “he is a source, not the middleman.”</p><p>The marijuana was in the compacted bales, but in each arrest already was unwrapped and not hidden. In one arrest, it was in a trash bag in the back seat of a truck. In the other, it was in a grocery bags in the trunk, Savage said.</p><p>It is believed the bales, with a weight of about 4.5 pounds to 5 pounds, originally were packaged in bulk, tightly wrapped in plastic for concealment, while being brought across the border.</p><p>Savage said the investigation originally started in western Etowah County near Boaz with the seizure of about 15 pounds. </p><p>However, the investigation is not related to a recent large marijuana bust in Boaz. Information about that part of the investigation will be presented to a grand jury for possible charges. </p><p>Gadsden Police Chief John Crane praised the work of the DEU.</p><p>“This is a prime example of the professionalism and dedication of the Drug Task Force,” Crane said. “This represents hours of work of sacrifice of the agents.”</p>